1920 Buick K645

It comes with an album of pre, during and post-restoration photographs, copious hand-written notes and a box of history sufficiently weighty to induce a hernia in most people who aren’t front-row forwards for a decent rugby team. 

The car was imported to the UK in 2017 having been purchased from the estate of Raymond F. Damato, the man who had commissioned the car’s ground-up restoration after taking the car to his Connecticut home in 1981.

Prior to that, it had been in the same Vermont family’s possession continuously from new.

We have driven this remarkable vehicle and can attest to its extraordinary usability.

It starts on the button, it doesn’t demand oil and water, and it offers a level of ride quality that is nothing short of a revelation in a car of this vintage.

It is in quite exceptional condition, inside, outside and underneath, and it’s so mechanically accomplished that you’ll struggle to believe that it’s now 104 years old.

The vendor, the second UK owner, purchased the car in 2019 has used it for trips to the Goodwood Revival and taken it to Le Mans and Spa.

The condition of the bodywork is really extremely good and there are no creases, dents, crumples or other aberrations of significance in evidence that we can see.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are consistent and even, and all four doors close with plenty of satisfying weight, heft and authority.

The glossy, lustrous, green and black paintwork is following the same script in terms of quality and condition.

The car’s yellow detachable-rim artillery wheels are excellent and very handsome. 

The tyres appear to have plenty of life left in them.

The lights, lenses, badging, windows and other exterior fixtures and fittings all seem to be beyond reproach.

There is a little patch of scruffy paint and a small outbreak of some nascent bubbling at the base of both front wheel arches where they meet the running boards.

We also saw a paint chip at the top of the rear offside door and a short tear in the leather grab patch behind it.

The black fabric hood, which was replaced by County Coachtrimmers in 2018, is in fine fettle, as is the tonneau cover.

It’s a similar story of excellence and amazing condition on the inside. 

The black leather upholstery is in fine order, front and back, and is free of any signs of wear that we can detect.

The seats are comfortable and supportive.

The carpets (new in 2018) are beyond reproach, as are the door cards and the roof lining.

The fat wooden steering wheel is delightfully tactile and good to hold.

The klaxon works, the lights work, the stuffed dead cat on the back seat doesn’t work.

Everything in the engine bay appears to be clean, dry, right and proper. 

The undersides of the car look to have plenty of structural integrity. 

Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusions. 

This car comes with about 25kgs of boxed history – photographs, parts catalogues, manuals, trophies, framed pictures, bills, invoices, receipts and other miscellany covering various parts of its 104 year-long life.

Pour yourself a stiff drink, settle into your favourite chair, and start reading.

People often think that pre-war cars like this must be mechanical nightmares and an endless source of cost and misery. 

We’re here to tell you (and so is the vendor) that, with this Buick, nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, the vendor is more than happy to spend some time talking to the successful bidder about how best to run, maintain and care for the car. 

It has made no excessive demands on the vendor’s patience, expertise or wallet; its appetite for oil and water is minimal; it will happily pootle around the lanes and byways to Goodwood or Le Mans for many hours without skipping a beat; and it could be serviced and maintained by a reasonably dextrous gibbon with his (or her) own set of ring spanners and feeler gauges. 

This car left the factory in Flint, Michigan, in the year that American women won the right to vote, Prohibition was introduced, and Al Jolson was rhapsodising about the Swanee river.

That it’s survived at all is both impressive and surprising. 

That’s it’s in this fabulous mechanical and aesthetic condition and an utter joy to drive is nothing short of a miracle.

What a car.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £20,000 - £30,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.